TREE enthusiasts in Formby are being offered even greater incentives to help create new woodland, thanks to the Forestry Commission’s latest English Woodland Grant Scheme.

Formby is already well-known for its fine woodland, and now the commission is offering total potential grant support of £3,800 per hectare to those looking to create significant areas of new woodland that can deliver economic, social and environmental value.

Kevin May, Grants, Regulation and Partnership Manager for the Forestry Commission in North West England, says: "We’re developing the English Woodland Grant Scheme to help new and existing woodlands on their land to the public to improve access and provide recreation opportunities for better health and well-being.”

They’re particularly looking for woodland bird and butterfly habitats, maintenance and enhancement of Sites of Special Scientific Interest and ancient woodland expansion.

The Forestry Commission are also looking for applications to plant new native woodland near existing ancient woodland and the stewardship of existing woodland that benefits the environment or provides new places for people to enjoy healthy exercise.

In the last ten years, grants worth more than £10 million have been given out leading to more than 5,000 hectares of new woodlands in North West England.

With woodland ranging from as little as four per cent to nine per cent, the North West is one of the least wooded areas in England and the proportion of ancient woodland is even less. The minimum area which can be supported is quarter of a hectare.

The closing date for the Woodland Creation Grant is 30th September. For all other grants the closing date is 28th February 2010, although they may close early if they are fully subscribed.

For details call the Forestry Commission on 017687 76616 or email northwest.fce@ forestry.gsi.gov.uk.